IS THE FARMER TO BE BLAMED FOR DROUGHT?

Panorama.am
17:12 03/07/06

"Drought is not dangerous for the land under irrigation," Mamikon
Gasparyan, land use and melioration department head at the agriculture
ministry told a discussion today. He said the panic is mainly connected
with short supply of water.

Agriculture development and reforms projects implementation office
head Adibek Ghazaryan noted that 15-20% more water is needed in case
of high temperature. In his words, water in rivers is 3 times less
this year. However, he assured that no problems will come about
connected with irrigation during hot summer months and first half
of September. The office head said that farmers made more payment
on water fee against last year since they are concerned that their
harvest will stay without water.

The ministry representative said that loss of water in Ararat valley
is 50%. To cover the loss, USD 1 bln is needed whereas they have got
a credit of only USD 100 mln.

However, the agency representatives also said that drought is
reported in some mountainous areas but they said farmers are to be
blamed because they do not know how to make artificial irrigation. No
estimates have been made on drought damage. They do not know whether
farmers will be compensated, either. "Everything depends on situation,
sizes and reasons," M. Gasparyan noted.